Properties at risk of floods ‘once every five years’
HUNDREDS of homes and businesses in Burscough are at risk of flooding under rainfall levels likely to occur every five years, a new report warns.
A long-awaited report on the town’s flooding issues was released last week, detailing the problems caused by surface water and what action needs to be taken.
It raises warnings over roads, railways and electricity substations which are at risk during once-infive-year weather conditions.
The report, compiled by engineering consultants Jacobs, also highlights the millions of pounds in damage which could potentially be caused by internal flooding at 99 properties, including 49 homes.
Lancashire County Council commissioned the study of Burscough’s surface water management in 2018 and had come under fire for delays in its publication.
According to the report: infrastructure at risk in those rainfall levels includes three electrical sub-stations at the A59 Lordsgate Lane and Green Lane.
A further sub-station located off Ringtail Road is at risk under one-in100-years rainfall levels.
It adds that, while shallow surface water flooding of the road network in Burscough is frequent, roads at greatest risk include the A59, Furnival Drive, Delph Drive and School Lane.
According to the hydraulic modelling, flood depths can reach between 10cm on the A59 and 37cmm on School Lane during adverse conditions
Meanwhile, sections of the Manchester to Southport railway line are at risk of surface water flooding, including New Lane level crossing and Burscough Bridge and the track adjacent to Richmond Park. Forecasts, supported by historical incident data, suggest flood depths here could reach as high as 67cm.
The report, which refers to historical flooding in Mill Lane, New Lane and
Crabtree Lane, also details the potential costs of damage caused by flooding in the town.
It states: “Two hundred and thirty-nine properties are at risk of external surface water flooding in Burscough. This supports the conclusions made above that there is generally a widespread risk of shallow flooding.
“There are, however, 99 properties (49 residential and 50 non-residential) at risk of internal flooding resulting in total damages of £7.767m over a 100year appraisal period, £1.570m of which is associated with 49 residential properties.” surface water